Spruce Root’s Path to Prosperity programs have grown from an annual business plan competition to a suite of programs designed to help grow local businesses to have a positive social, ecological and economic impact on their communities.
In 2023, the Path to Prosperity suite of services was presented the Gold Award for Excellence in Economic Development by the International Economic Development Council.
Business Basics is an interactive, online workshop designed for Southeast Alaskans who are looking to launch a business. Whether you have an idea that you’re looking to turn into a business or a side project you are looking to expand, this workshop will give you the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to build a successful business that benefits our Southeast Alaskan community, environment, and the economy.
Business Basics Online is an entirely self-paced course that will teach you the essentials of running a thriving business. By completing this three-hour course, you will learn how to create a simplified business plan, budget for start-up expenses, calculate financial projections, gain an understanding of marketing, customer discovery, and business licenses and taxes. To complete the course, users must have access to a personal computer with internet access and be able to use Google documents and sheets. Users in need of a computer may contact Spruce Root for assistance
Business Basics for Artists is an interactive, online workshop designed for Southeast Alaska artists who are looking to launch a business. Whether you have an idea that you’re looking to turn into a business or a side project you are looking to expand, this workshop will give you the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to build a successful business that benefits the community, the environment, and the economy.
Path to Prosperity Business Competition
The Path to Prosperity Business Competition is an annual business development competition for businesses with a positive economic, environmental, and community impact on Southeast Alaska. Businesses are judged based on their feasibility and their contributions to community development. The competition includes an intensive in-person training and that awards $40,000 annually to two winning businesses.
Businesses must be located and operate primarily in Southeast Alaska and owners must be residents of Southeast Alaska. We especially encourage participation from entrepreneurs who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color and/or those outside of Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan.
Please reach out to us if you have additional questions about eligibility. FAQ →
Competition History
For 11 years, we are extremely proud that more than 378 businesses and start-ups in 23 Southeast Alaska communities applied to the Path to Prosperity Competition. The program trained 157 finalists and awarded 24 winners a total of $720,000 to build their local businesses.
Master Class is a transformative workshop designed to help experienced entrepreneurs take their businesses to new heights.
Participants will develop a growth plan for their business, explore and dispel internal limiting beliefs around business ownership, become familiar with the latest research on the new economy, learn tools for planning through a shifting economy, and more!
This is an Equal Opportunity Program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.